Thursday 23 April 2015 09:11, UK
England manager Roy Hodgson maintains Tottenham striker Harry Kane is the right choice for the Under-21s in June, and has backed him to avoid fatigue this summer.
Kane has scored 30 goals for Tottenham this season, and scored on his full England debut against Lithuania last month.
He is expected to miss the next two senior internationals, in favour of joining Gareth Southgate’s U21 squad for the European Championship in the Czech Republic.
“If Harry is selected for the U21s, and I’m sure he will be, I’m more than happy that he goes there," Hodgson told Sky Sports News HQ at Wembley stadium, at an event to promote St George’s Day.
"I said to Gareth early on, the players who have helped them qualify and want to reap the rewards by playing in the tournament, I would step back and he would have first choice of those players. He’s been excellent, a real pleasure to work with in the last 10-day get-together.
Being English, growing up in England, to represent your country, is an amazing feeling
"It was nice he was able to make his England senior debut before going off to play with the U21s this summer. It’s an indication that, if you’ve got the courage to put your faith in these players.
"They are youngish. But let’s be fair, the top players in the world, like Messi, or Maradona, a Cruyff, Beckenbauer, they were all playing when they were 18 and 19. We shouldn’t be writing people off just because they haven’t reached the age of 25.”
Hodgson has backed Kane and his U21 teammates to avoid burnout in the summer.
The final of the European U21 Championship is on June 30, more than two weeks after England’s senior team play their Euro 2016 qualifying game in Slovenia.
“I’m not concerned about that at all,” added Hodgson. “They can handle it. Players through the years have handled lots and lots of games. We don’t play more games now.
"You’ve got a statue of Bobby Moore behind me here, he was regularly playing 60 to 70 games a year, and I don’t remember burnout ever being discussed. I think that Harry Kane, and the players like him for the U21s, will be raring to go in the Czech Republic and I don’t think burnout will ever feature in their minds.
"That’s part of the game. If you want to be an international player, unfortunately, you have to play sometimes in the summer months.”
Hodgson was speaking after watching schoolchildren design England posters during a lesson at Wembley’s Learning Zone, and the FA hope the next generation of fans will be inspired to join the England Supporters Club.
The England manager was joined by Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, England’s vice-captain, who also judged the children’s designs.
Tournament football is knockout football and even if you work well you can’t guarantee success
“Being English, growing up in England, to represent your country, is an amazing feeling.” Cahill told Sky Sports News HQ. “There’s plenty of young talent coming through.
"We’ve been doing some coaching sessions recently and, at all ages and all levels, there’s a massive passion for the sport and England. You see the kids in English tops. It means a lot to them and a huge amount to players.”
FA chairman Greg Dyke says England can still win the World Cup in 2022 and Hodgson believes it remains a ‘realistic target’.
“I think it is, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be,” said Hodgson. "The way the FA is working now, a lot of good work is going on, including our academies. As long as players get a chance to play and make their mark, in the same way that Harry Kane has.
"If they can get that Premier League, Champions League, international experience, as they get a bit older, they will get stronger. I would like to think we have a good chance in that period of time.
"It’s a small margin. Tournament football is knockout football and even if you work well you can’t guarantee success. But if you work well you increase your chances of success."
